FromSirwithLOVE

“Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environment (CSILE)” is proven an excellent alternative way in engaging children with discussions from time to time while learning. This application is shared database to support structured collaborative knowledge building by having children communicate their ideas, what they understand in learning a topic, and criticisms if any. On top of all, this application sets no boundaries! Children can ‘travel’ from not just from their classroom to the next classroom, but a giant leap far away from their homeland to children from other countries as well. This learning condition promotes active interaction of ideas and this I believe will toughen up children’s self-esteem as to have the courage to share and accept theirs and other’s opinions and point of views as well for later use for deeper understanding of concepts.

Posted in: on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at at 9:45 PM 0 comments  

I believe children learn better through active engagement. Active engagement in the classroom is made possible if the children participate in activities carried out during the lesson. This active engagement I believe can put children to a learning exercise which requires both mind and body to be presence at the same time so that the children can attempt for full concentration in class. This is derived from the fact that children are kinaesthetic. They love to do things. This is where the learning takes place when the children can make a connection between what the teachers are lecturing about and they response to it by doing things that reflect their understandings. One of the computer-based technologies which supports this fact is “Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL)”. Children are taken to a field trip and they can record the data straight away in their palmtop without going to and fro from home and the field trip everyday to acquire and record the data. The results of their actions can be seen instantaneously; this supports the idea aforementioned and thus, making science laboratory experiments an enjoying activity. I do not say that science laboratory experiments without MBL is completely useless but MBL in a way does provide sort of a new way of making science laboratory experiments more enjoyable. Children are actively involved in their learning as they feel responsible of every minute action they take while engaging themselves in experimenting does count for the end results.

Posted in: on Monday, September 15, 2008 at at 11:39 PM 0 comments  

One of the learning methods which I dreaded the most is memorising facts and I am pretty sure children of today might feel the same as well. With just mastering skill of memorising facts does not mean the children can excel outside of the school as they do in examination where memorising facts is all. The point is children need to be equipped with the skill of applying what they have learned in school with the real-world contexts. The computer-based program that provides opportunity for the children to connect what they are learning with the real-world context is “Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program”. This program pioneered by Vice President Al Gore, 1992 allows children to learn to apply scientific concepts in analyzing real environmental problems.It works this way:teachers and children collect data for use by scientists, and the scientists provide mentoring to the teachers and the children about how to apply scientific concepts in analyzing real environmental problems. This program would not just adding fun to learning but educating as well. Children will become more interested as they love to experience things first hand and in fact this program will do fair in instilling the sense of responsibility.

Posted in: on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at at 10:00 AM 0 comments